COMMUNITY FORUM

soot

my daughter has a new home of only 3ys. Lately she has been seeing black soot in corners of ceiling. They have floor heating so it is not caused from a bad furnace. This is driving all insane. She has two children and figure that this cannot be good for their breathing or hers. She has even seen this soot on the childrens toys, and if they are playing on the carpeted floor..their clothes sometimes have a dingy color to them. Any idea as to where this soot is coming from.

What type of floor furnace? Have you checked the furnace filters? What is the air quality where she lives?

The most likely cause (if it's soot) is from the furnace, either genreated from the fuel or brought in from the outside air. I recommend that you have an analysis done. Go to iaqa.com and find a CIE or AIHA and find a CIH to do an indoor air analysis. It may be minor, but you have a problem that needs professional attention for the sake of the kids, if for no other reason.

Oil-burning lamps are bad too. But this sounds more serious if it's on the floor, children's toys, etc. That could be a real health problem. How do you know it's soot? Could it be mold or some other stuff?I would definitely get the situation checked out by a pro.